Jamie xx

Career

2006–2009

Smith was born in London on 28 October 1988. His musical career began in 2006 when he joined the xx accompanying old schoolmates Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, and Baria Qureshi of the Elliott School in London, notable for alumni including Hot Chip, Burial, and Four Tet. He was given a MPC for his 18th birthday, which he used in the xx. Smith joined the xx in 2006, a year after the band formed.

Smith first used the stage name Jamie xx in July 2009 in a promotional mix for the band's debut album xx released on the FACT magazine mix series. The mixtape was compiled by Jamie Smith and featured, amongst others, four tracks credited to Jamie xx – one self-production and three remixes. The xx album went on to become platinum in the UK. Afterward, Smith went on to do more remix work for artists like Florence + The Machine, Adele, Jack Peñate and Glasser.

2010–present

In late 2010, a Jamie xx remix of the song "NY Is Killing Me" from Gil Scott-Heron's last album I'm New Here aired on radio stations across the UK and Europe. The remix of "I'll Take Care of U" followed in January 2011. Both singles drew the attention of the general public and the critics. They set the way for a 13-track remix album entitled We're New Here, produced entirely by Jamie xx and credited to "Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx". The album was released on 21 February 2011 on the XL Recordings label, but a full-album preview could be streamed on the website of The Guardian as early as 14 February. We're New Here received critical acclaim and was named "a cohesive, considered masterpiece in its own right" by BBC's Ele Beattie.

On 6 June 2011, the two-track self-produced single "Far Nearer / Beat For" was released. The song "Far Nearer" was selected Best New Track by Pitchfork, and the double A-side single charted at number 128 on the UK Singles Chart. Later the same year, Smith produced the title track off Drake's second album, Take Care, which features Rihanna. In addition, Smith helped create several reworks for Radiohead's song "Bloom" which were released on a remix album entitled TKOL RMX 1234567. He also co-produced the song "When It's All Over" with Alicia Keys on her Girl on Fire album. In 2014, he announced an upcoming collaboration with John Talabot on Tim Sweeney's Beats in Space online radio show. In 2014, he released the singles "Girl/Sleep Sound" and "All Under One Roof Raving".

On 27 March 2015, he released two singles: "Loud Places", featuring the xx's Romy Madley Croft, and "Gosh". On the same day he also announced that his debut album, In Colour, would be out on 1 June 2015. Ahead of its release, In Colour was streamed on iTunes as a preview with album-spanning visuals that 'reacted' to each sound. It was ultimately released on 29 May 2015 to widespread critical acclaim, debuting at number three on the UK Albums Chart and receiving nominations for the 2015 Mercury Prize and for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 58th Grammy Awards.

Jamie xx composed the score for a ballet, Tree of Codes, commissioned by Manchester International Festival for its 2015 edition. Based on a novel of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer, the ballet was choreographed by Wayne McGregor and had a set created by Olafur Eliasson.

In 2020, he released his first single in five years, "Idontknow", which received positive to lukewarm reception from critics. He was credited on Tyler, the Creator's 2021 album Call Me If You Get Lost as a co-producer on the track "RISE!".

Jamie xx has worked on each of his The xx bandmates' respective solo albums: he produced Oliver Sim's Hideous Bastard (2022), and co-produced Romy's Mid Air (2023).

On 20 September 2024, Jamie xx released his second opus In Waves on the independent Young record label. The album featured a collaboration with his bandmates Romy and Oliver Sim, "Waited All Night", which had been tease in Jamie xx's set at Glastonbury prior to its release. Other notable tracks from the album include "Baddy on the Floor" featuring Honey Dijon, "All You Children" featuring The Avalanches, and "Life" featuring Robyn (who had also joined Jamie on stage in his Glastonbury set ). In Waves was highly rated by critics, scoring 84 out of 100 on Metacritics based on 18 critics' reviews.

The release of In Waves was marked with a tour of intimate record store performances in Liverpool, Manchester, Brighton, and Bristol between 20th and 23rd September 2024. Following this was two sold-out shows at Alexandra Palace on 25th and 26th September 2024, one of which was added due to "phenomenal demand".

Personal life

Jamie xx has previously attributed his interest in dance music to his two uncles who worked as DJs. Within his immediate family, his mother was a fan of Stax Records and his father was a folk-rock drummer in the 1970s.

Philanthropy

Jamie xx has supported a number of charitable causes, especially through performing fundraising gigs.

In 2016, Jamie xx headlined a benefit concert organised by One for the Boys, a male cancer charity co-founded by Sofia David and Samuel L. Jackson.

In 2019, Jamie xx played a charity gig at The Cause to raise money for mental health charities Mind in Haringey and CALM.

In January 2025, Jamie xx performed a special matinée concert to raise funds for California wildfires' relief efforts. Proceeds from the gig, held at The Shrine Expo Hall, were split between ClientEarth, California Fire Foundation and Extreme Weather Survivors.

In September 2025, Jamie xx performed at the Together for Palestine benefit concert organised by Brian Eno at Wembley arena. Jamie xx opened the concert with a back-to-back set with Samaʼ Abdulhadi, a Palestinian techno DJ. The concert was sold out and reportedly raised over £1.4 million (excluding money raised following the conclusion of the event). Proceeds of the concert were donated to Palestinian-led organisations that provide front-line aid, namely Taawon, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and Palestinian Medical Relief Society.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Other charted songs

Other tracks

Remixes

Awards and nominations

References

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2. Ian Gittins. (2015-10-16). "Jamie xx review – unremittingly joyous DJ set from a club alchemist". The Guardian.
3. (2015-12-07). "Grammy Nominations 2016: Dance Nominees Are Deserving, But Can't Catch a Major Category Break".
4. "Jamie xx Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}} ...".
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21. Madison Bloom. (25 June 2021). "Tyler, the Creator Releases New Album ''Call Me If You Get Lost''". [[Pitchfork (website).
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54. {{cite certification
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60. {{cite certification
61. {{cite certification
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89. (26 February 2025). "BRITs nominees 2025: Charli xcx, Ezra Collective, Central Cee, JADE and more".